After CPAC: What conservatives are still missing

One of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s statements at CPAC 2014 has my complete agreement: “you have to convey the message of what you are for, not just what you are against.”

One of the lessons I learned early on in my military career that I have carried since is “anyone can tell what the issue is or state what the problem is, but a leader tells you what the solutions are.”

For conservatives it is time we turn principles into policies – not get all tied up in details that confuse, but focus on simple points that reflect the concerns of the American people.

A great example is the issue of education. Right now the progressive socialists of the Democrat party are lining up on the side of the teachers’ unions. We recently reported on New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s attack against the Success Academy Charter School in Harlem. Why aren’t we hearing more conservatives talk about school choice, vouchers, charter schools – in other words, better educational opportunities for America’s children, especially minority children?

No conservative should be lining up behind the insidious common core education initiative, basically an expansion of big government into the realm of education, which should be a local issue. Where are the conservative voices talking about a 21st century education policy vision that is consistent with our principles?

How do we present a roadmap that makes education relevant and develops productive members of our society, rather than test-taking drones? How do we examine the means by which we promote critical thinking skills and skill development by educational partnering with the private sector?

When I think of how conservatives can connect across every community and demographic in America on this subject… here is a clear example of policy inclusiveness, not outreach. We just need to take the message out there. I can’t imagine any mother who would reject a plan to better educate her children and prepare them to achieve greatness and success through maximizing their opportunities.

What I saw missing from CPAC was an understanding that Americans hunger for a particular image. Americans thought Obama possessed it — an image of concerned and caring leadership. It is an image that exemplifies the best of America and reflects the triumph of the indomitable American individual spirit.

It does not spring from numbers and detailed calculations. It is conveyed by someone Americans believe they can invite into their homes who cares for them and their future. The image should not be of someone who offers handouts, but if there is no compelling alternative, voters willingly lower their standards and fall for the giver of gifts.

My mom taught me that “self-esteem comes from doing estimable things.” and sitting home in Section 8 housing waiting for a “gubmint” check ain’t promoting self-esteem. Conservatives need someone who honestly relfects what America is and what she can be as we restore this Republic. Someone who can explain in simple terms a vision of growth, opportunity, and prosperity — not shared — but policies and conditions that create the pursuit of happiness — not the false promise of guaranteed happiness.

The other key aspect of leadership, woefully ignored at CPAC, is the importance of the Commander-in-Chief, a warrior-statesman who not only makes sure the American people know he or she cares — but convincingly demonstrates they will be protected.

Such a leader must be strong enough to sit down at a table with autocrats, theocrats, despots, dictators and garner their respect, if not fear. Consider when Ronald Reagan stood at the Brandenburg Gate and told Mr. Gorbachev to “tear down this wall.”

That simple statement inspired a drive for liberty and freedom behind the wall which eventually resulted in its collapse. Today we are faced with a threat from Vladimir Putin who seeks to rebuild that wall.

America is looking for a leader who won’t call Putin for a 60- or 90-minute dissertation, but places a five-minute call to state the case and the consequences, and then hangs up — because the actions will speak for themselves.

We need leadership that looks square in the eyes of the mad mullahs and ayatollahs and lets them know Islamic totalitarianism and terrorism is a non-starter — and will be crushed. America is looking for a leader who lets the Chinese know our allies in Japan and the Philippines will not see their sovereign territories subsumed by aggressive actions.

We need a leader who tells Mahmoud Abbas, Fatah and Hamas that Israel is our ally and no solutions are viable as long as terrorists abide under their umbrella of protection.

The world knows President Obama is a liar and his progressive socialist agenda is failing. America needs to know what conservatives – constitutionalists — will do to restore the exceptionalism of America, and the dream that says regardless of where you were born or where you come from, your greatness can be achieved here in this place: the land of the free, because we are the home of the brave.

Another thing that is being left out is God. Without the Almighty’s leading, this country is going nowhere, but down.

BooBots

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This sums it up quite succinctly. Now, we must elect people who will dismantle the tangled tyrannical webs, rather than build them out.

gregzimmerman007

Just <> them all.

Jay

Personally I dont think we have that leader yet and until we do we will continue to have Barack Obamas and Hillary Clintons in the Whitehouse!

JAS

We do have “that leader.” Allen West is certainly one of them and there are many more

gregzimmerman007

Only because the Obamas and the Clintons can pull the wool over the public’s eyes.

Joe Peterlin

Mitch McConnell steps out of CPAC and talks about ‘crushing the TEA Party’. Not a very bright move on his part, IMO.

Reba

Yep, I expect it every time he opens his mouth. Cruz, Paul, Lee, Palin and a couple others that are true Conservatives, must be having an effect on him. We can only hope a Conservative beats him out.

gregzimmerman007

Who would we list as RINO’s to vote out of office if possible?

Boehner, McCain, McConnell, who else?

Reba

All of them accept the ones that have stood up for the people. We know that will not happen, because they are all from different States.

Reba

You posted the information on Massachussetts?

keepyourpower

Lindsey Graham.

Barbara

I am sick to death of politicians, when they are campaigning, doing nothing but criticizing their opponents either through negative TV ads or during debates without clearly stating what they would do differently and better. A simple thing like discussing charter schools in a manner the average American would understand would be a start. Most of us don’t realize how charter schools even work, and/or who pays for it. Every major issue is bounced around between the candidates with none of them coming out with a clear, and understandable solution being explained. I am hungering for someone who will say things like “We need welfare reform, here’s how I propose it be done”, “We’re going to give Social Security only to those who EARNED it by paying into it for at least 20 years and here’s how it should be done” and so on and so on. I also would like to see candidates staying totally out of special interest issues like abortion as we already have laws on the books, religion as we already have that covered too, and health care. I doubt I will get any of this, and I would like to see much more but for right now, I will settle for a candidate that has honor, integrity, and enough leadership ability to actually lead us into something better. I’m not going to hold my breath for this to happen.

lokiswife

The Democrats and liberals have absolutely nothing they can brag about, and everything to minimize, lie about or whiffle off. That means they have to keep up a steady stream of negative stories about Republicans/conservatives to set up a smoke screen around their dismal failures. It is going to be a tough run for any Republicans/conservatives and their families. Remember 2008 when that liberal journalist/muckraker moved into a rental house right next to Sarah Palin’s house where he could spy on them? Republicans have to get rid of that “Mr. Nice Guy” image and start fighting back against the Chicago thug style politicians, Mr. Nice Guy is going nowhere…

gregzimmerman007

You know the Dem’s are going to pull the same, old sh!t. They are going to sling dirt. They will sling so much dirt that they will make Ben Carson look like a pig in a mud bath.

As PART of the plan, we must dig up dirt on the upcoming Dem candidates naturally, so that we can sling too. Look at all the lying Obama did during his campaign and on his debates.

Too bad we were not ready for that.

keepyourpower

I really don’t think they can come up with dirt on Dr. Ben Carson!
He has a jump on everyone else too….there has already been a movie about him.

llf49

Most of them couldn’t say anything the rest of us can understand because most of them are LAWYERS! Speak and double speak until no one has a clue as to what they’re saying! Oh, and don’t forget, lie their asses off while looking us dead in the eye!

David Hoffman

Well stated Mr.West. I think Dr. Ben Carson is the best choice to lead us back to our America. Seems the current resident at the White House is like his father the devil, all he can do is (lie) what the devil has been doing since he first lied to Eve in the garden. Dr. Carson is a man of God who is a man of great faith. He can put this nation back on track. When a country turns its back on God it will certainly lose the blessing from God. I find it hard to understand how people in our great nation can’t see that.

You are a wonderful example of a true American Hero. May God of Heaven bless you and your family.
Your friend in Christ
David Hoffman

Hotnike

I agree totally, Mr. West. However, there are a few RINO’s that need to go.

FSHNT21

Well time’s a wastin….
The Republican Party is dead, they just haven’t been pronounced yet and the Democrats didn’t have to lift a finger to do it. The GOP establishment did it for them. ..
STOP trying to revive a corpse….
Start a NEW Party- call it whatever you want- free of the history and entanglements of the Republican Party and offer real Conservatives and the rest of America a choice of candidates who still listen to the American people.
The argument about taking votes away from one Party or the other is garbage. Offer the American people REAL and Worthy candidates and you’ll get voters from BOTH Party’s supporting them. There is no Law, no Rule that says there can only be Republicans or Democrats. Give the American people a REAL Party to vote for and they will do just that.

gregzimmerman007

Idiot – what do you think the Tea Party is? And, the GOP/Republican party is far from dead — needing a few changes (get rid of RINO’s), but NOT DEAD, far from it. In fact, I think with the help of the Tea Party, we will take over the Congress. See what happened to the House? The Tea Party displaced plenty of Democrats for us Republicans to win a majority, and we will SOON, very soon be doing the same thing in the Senate!! Cheers.

FSHNT21

First off Idiot, the T.E.A Party is NOT a Party… never has been… ask THEM. AND they are NOT a wing of the Republican Party. AGAIN- ask THEM. They are a grassroots Conservative organization that will support candidate from EITHER Party that align with their values.
And yes, T.E.A Party candidate support enabled the GOP to take the House and very nearly the Senate in 2010. Their reward…?
Your GOP Establishment promptly removed EVERY T.E.A Party supported candidate from Committee leadership positions and virtually shunned them at the 2012 Republican Convention.
Without them, the Republicans would have taken an even bigger beating than they did in the last 2 elections. THEY just happen to be the life support system for the GOP. Take away their grassroots support and the Republican Party will most certainly die on the vine.

gregzimmerman007

200 are injured and 72 killed when government (national guard) tries to confiscate recently-outlawed assault weapons from citizens in Massachusetts. Guard retreats finally from Lexington after being overwhelmed by citizen gun owners.

Citizens blame government for standoff, although governor Thomas Gage asks for continued help of the Guard and citizenry to quell the “extremist” (radical) right wing faction.

I would not have believed it, if I had not read it myself. The people are in big trouble!

Schawminator

And remember , not one person that represents us on Capitol Hill or in attendance at CPAC is going to do anything to stop it. Not one!
They are all BS as they allow Obama to do what he must do to grow the useful idiot Democrat voter base for a generation to come.

David Merkle

Reba, this is the story as it occurred in 1774 , read closely.

Reba

My mistake! I printed it out to
read and had type over type and could not read that part.

I see a dream ticket of Ben Carson and Allen West, or Allen West and Ben Carson!
WE are in need of a military man of conscience, and a doctor of conscience, bringing this country back to it’s roots of the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence!

Jeff Noncent

that is so true I am with Allen West on these all the way

Schawminator

CPAC was just another lip service con and diversion from what MUST be done. Not one person said they were going to invite Sheriff Joe, Mike Zullo, Jerome Corsi plus Hillary Clinton’s 2008 Campaign staff for their sworn testimonies of the discoveries of ID fraud committed by A guy name Barack H. Obama, II.
Get this done and all that was implemented by the Obama administration begins to go away as we return our country back to the guidance our founding fathers.

feline fan

DeBlasio sadly misled the minorities and “disadvantaged”. They believed he was concerned for their well-being. Unfortunately his real priority was helping the unions who bought his election. I wonder why no-one warned the people before he was elected that he intended to take away their charter schools. And common core was forced upon school systems…again upon those who were mis-informed I noticed a number of important issues that weren’t discussed at all. Also,, I enjoyed the humor in Palin’s speech but really wish she hadn’t brought up the Robertson debacle, thus reminding everyone of the insult to the lgbt and black populations. The republicans don’t need to be alienating ANY group. Especially ignored were the economic solutions needed to restore the jobs. I would like to hear specific proposals. And Rand Paul, I think, is TOO focused on gov. spying as opposed to the nitty-gritty problems confronting the society. In short, I feel a lot was off balance in the presentations….too much emotion and little substance, like Allen pointed out.

glenn

The first statement you said you agreed with that Chris Cristie talked about I would trust a word out of his mouth.I thought he was descent also til he climbed in the bed with obooboo about health care.He and obooboo are buddy buddy and I don’t trust him.
One thing that we do need is a new party that has nothing to do with repubs ,dems or even the tea party.We need a party that will stand steadfast and not back down from anyone or anything that may cause any type of harm to this country.We need to seal off our borders .Stop allowing the cartel’s to do as they please .We could stop them in one day IF our leaders would allow it.Illegal Immigration would come to a stand still.A shot to kill order would stop that.Our worse border now is mexico and it needs to be closed.

OUR new party should be known as The AMERICAN Party .If you can’t stand for what this country was founded on and follow our CONSTITUTION, OUR BILL OF RIGHTS,AND MOST IMPORTANTLY TRUST IN ALL MIGHTY GOD then you have no business here. PEOPLE we have to unite or our battle will be lost,and it could very well be in the near future if we don’t do something NOW.It don’t matter the color of their skin we just need RED BLOODED AMERICANS that will fight for this country and DON’T BACK DOWN.

disisdadrum

“The first statement you said you agreed with that Chris Cristie talked
about I would trust a word out of his mouth.I thought he was descent
also til he climbed in the bed with obooboo about health care.He and
obooboo are buddy buddy and I don’t trust him.”
Nothing wrong with agreeing with a true statement. Pay no attention to the messenger but pay attention to the message given. I’m sure Mr. West doesn’t agree with the other Cristie issues you mentioned {^_^}

thefatefullightning

100% right, Colonel. I have never understood why the GOP has not found the wisdom to share its principles with Black, Brown and Yellow people. Maybe in the past 50 years it never needed to—the old white man’s club. Charter schools in Harlem doing a kick-ass job ought to be on the lips of every Republican candidate.

During the ’92 riots in LA where I ran a car store at La Cienega and Manchester, I saw five young Black men running like hell from a burning apartment house that they had just set ablaze. Later that day I drove by a residential neighborhood and saw a teen-age Black man watering down the roof of his house, lawn and shrubbery. His father sat on the porch with a 12-gauge pump-gun across his lap. No one was going to torch that house, he had a mortgage.

That is the man we need in this Party. And he is also available in White, Brown and Yellow!

sgfan

Yes, he’s a great choice and he’s black! HOWEVER, he’s not speaking the black culture and their priorities. They have traded the white plantation system in the south for the Obama/democrat plantation. Look at what they do to Sen Tim Scott of SC. He’s black and yet he’s not speaking the language of “entitlement” on which they conduct their lives. There is NO LOGICAL REASON why 95% of the black race blindly supports a president just because he’s black! That is unacceptable and it shows a total lack of knowledge of what made this country great. I didn’t say perfect, but great. That’s why millions illegally and legally come to America. If it’s as bad as Jeremiah Wright says it is, let’s see his house, his car, his income. I think you will find he is a first class Hypocrite.

As usual, LTC West is spot on. I want America to be the biggest baddass, brightest, strongest, wealthiest nation on earth because (and contrary to what liberal Communist Democrats think), being the opposite of that would be pretty grim.

John Nosser

At the same time, if the problem is not correctly understood due to a cover up or obfuscation, then no viable solution can be reached. This is why Obama’s every action results in disaster. The American people should never put such an armchair thinker into the office of President again. What you imagine rarely works the way you thought it would in the real world, and Obama seems incapable of making workable adjustments. He is only interested in the imagined political ramifications. God warned us of such purely political people 2,000 years ago.

Ron Coon

What we need is a President and a Vice President that are a direct reflection of Ronald Reagan. A pair of leaders that are convicted with American exceptionalism with the fervor, tenacity, and perseverance to attain what is needed to maintain greatness, both for the moment and the future generations of AMERICANS. I am convinced that we have those two people within our reach. To whom am I talking? None other than Newt Gingrich and Allen West. Dr. Ben Carson is a renowned physician. He’d make a fantastic Surgeon General, but he’s not a President. Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and Bobby Jindal are all great leaders in their arenas, but each one is illegitimate to serve as the President.

Gingrich/West 2016/2020 succeeded by West/? 2024/2028

Judy Imp

Now, let us organize the Latino, Black, and Asian family oriented, Christian faith, people. Conservatism is Universal, Sir. Most Asians are more conservative than anyone I know.

Judy Imp

Canada was able to turn Conservative, because they immigrated a bunch of Chinese and Indian intellectuals and business people.

Judy Imp

Conservative Black people are singled-out and pushed down by the Democrats. They are voiceless. What about Black talk shows? TV shows?

PaulS47

One irony, Judy is black Americans’ opposition to gay marriage, from the voting block most likely to vote D. When Prop. 8 (gay marriage) was defeated in California no one called black California Democrats bigots.

If that were true California wouldn’t be run by a supermajority of Democrats. And San Francisco (aka Fantasy Island,) where I’ve lived since 1970, would have a Republican mayor, or at least a strong conservative presence on the SF Board of Stupifiers. I read the campaign literature from Asian candidates here; “innovation” = increasing property taxes according to one Asian mayoral candidate.

So why do I…? Personal ties; otherwise I’d have been deep into Red State America years ago. This state is doomed. And I have no sympathy; you choose, you get.

Judy Imp

Paul, you are right. I forgot to mention that if Asians may receive FREE STUFF from the government, then they will be Democrats. Hawaii receives the most Welfare. However, the minute the government is going to collect money from Asians, Asians will fight to death. I know, because I am Asian. Also, Asians will fight for their children too.

Connie Cook

Wise words, Sir. You put into words, what I’ve been praying for, and made clear direction and paths to taking back our America. You are a true leader and statesman. Not sure yet if God’s Plan for our America will be you as Commander in Chief, or if he has other Plans for you. But, if you decide to run – you have my vote, Sir. In the meantime, thank you for taking your place as a leader in the Conservative – Constituionalist movement the heart of America are part of.

Meet Allen West

Allen West was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia in the same neighborhood where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once preached. He is the third of four generations of military servicemen in his family.

During his 22 year career in the United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel West served in several combat zones: in Operation Desert Storm, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was a Battalion Commander in the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, and later in Afghanistan.